First Lady Christie launches annual scholarship program

As part of an ongoing commitment to New Jersey military members and veterans, First Lady Mary Pat Christie is kicking-off the fourth annual New Jersey Heroes' Heart of a Hero Scholarship.

New Jersey Heroes (Facebook)

The program has awarded 30 scholarships for deserving men and women over the past three years.

"The Heart of a Hero Scholarship provides these New Jersey service members with another resource to make their higher education and career goals a reality," said Casey Mahoney, New Jersey Heroes executive director.

This year, 10 more $5,000 scholarships are being awarded by New Jersey Heroes, which was started by the First Lady Marty Pat Christie in 2010 to recognize, celebrate, and honor everyday New Jerseyans.

Christie said the applicants must demonstrate volunteerism and community contribution.

"We look for, in this case, veterans," she explained. "Veterans that aren't just serving in their professional careers, but go above and beyond."

In addition, the candidates must be a New Jersey resident and U.S. citizen with proof of military service, and enrolled at a college or vocational school for the 2015-16 school year.

"Our goal and mission is just to recognize these veterans and active duty service members that are doing great things in their communities, in addition to giving back to their country," Mahoney said. "It's our way to say thank you to them and to help them achieve their higher education goals."

The First Lady said its vital to honor these individuals giving back to their communities around the Garden State.

"When you combine people that are doing that volunteer effort with folks that want to better themselves through more education, if we can't be support of those people, who can we be supportive of," Christie said.